Retractable applicator



Jan. 15, 1952 C. A. M U REA U RETRACTABLE APPLI CATOR Filed March 25,1946 N [N VEN TOR.

Q 7' 7' OENE Y Patented Jan. 15, 1952 UNITED STATES T T OFFICE 10Claims. 1

This invention has to do with an applicator and relates moreparticularly to a device that can be used to advantage for theapplication of lip rouge or the like, it being an object of the presentinvention to provide a simple, practical, improved device characterizedby a carrying case and a retractible brush carried by the case.

This invention has to do with the general type of device which is thesubject of my co-pending applications entitled Make-Up Applicator,Serial No. 636,198, filed December 20, 1945, and Retractable Make-UpApplicator," Serial No. 657,007 filed on even .date herewith, whichmatured on December 11, 1951, as Patent Number 2,578,084.

It is an object of my present invention to provide a simple,inexpensive, yet effective construction for pivotally mounting theclosure in the case.

A further object of my present invention is to provide a simple,effective, operating means whereby the closure of the device isdependably operated from the stem of the brush that is incorporated inthe device so that the operation of the closure is properly synchronizedwith that of the brush.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a simplified,improved, general construction for devices of the character mentionedwhereby the stem of the brush is directly slidably mounted in the caseand .does not rely upon the closure for support.

The various objects and features of myinvention will be fully understoodfrom the following detailed description of a typical preferred form andapplication of the invention, throughout which description reference ismade to the accompanying drawing, in which: l

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying my invention showing itwith the brush retracted. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal .de-

tailed sectional view of the principal parts of the structure shown inFig. 1, being a View illustrating the relationship that occurs betweenthe case, closure and brush when the brush is fully retracted and theclosure is in operating position to close the brush opening provided inthe forward end of the case. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showingthe parts fully operated or the brush extended, in which position theclosure is removed from the opening in the case and the brush isprojected through the brush opening to project from the forward end ofthe case. Fig. 4 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 44on Fig. 3 the brush unit being shown in elevation. Fig. 5 is a sectionalview of the case 1 alone showing it at the point where the two sectionsof the case are connected, and showing the manner in which the bearingsocket is formed in the case to support the trunnion of the closure.Fig. 6 is an enlarged front elevation of the structure being a viewtaken as indicated by line 5-6 on Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailedtransverse sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 1-'!on Fig. 3, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailed transverse sectional viewtaken substantially as indicated by line 8-8 on Fig. 2 showing the brushunit moved forward so the lug 5i and part 42 are in position to appearin section.

The device that I have provided can be used for various purposes, itbeing particularly suited for use in applying. lip rouge and the like. Iwill refer to the invention as an applicator for lip rouge, but I do notwish such reference to be construed as a limitation upon the inventionsince it will be apparent that the structure can be employed orincorporated in devices intended for other uses.

The device of the present invention involves, generally, a case A havinga brush opening ID at its forward end, a closure B carried in the caseand operable into and out of position where it closes the opening ll), abrush unit C carried in the case and having a head involving bristles ora brush proper adapted to be moved into and out of position where itprojects forward from the front end of the case A through the opening I0, means D whereby the closure B is operated by or from the brush unitand operating means E by which the brush unit is operable from theexterior of the case.

The case A may, in practice, vary widely in form or design. However,when the device is to be employed as a lip rouge applicator it ispreferred to make the case simple and plain in form and of a size andshape to be conveniently handled by the user. The particular caseillustrated involves, generally, an elongate tubular body ll closed atits forward end by a front end wall I2 and at its rear end by a rear endwall l3. The body II of the case A is preferably of sectionalconstruction, that is, it is preferably made in two parts or so that itis divided at a point intermediate its ends, preferably about midwaybetween its ends. In the particular construction shown there is a frontend section X and a rear end section Y. The sections X and Y of the casebody II are joined Or coupled so that the structure can be assembledinto a permanent solid unit. In the case illustrated in the drawings oneof the sections has a counterbore at the end opposing the other sectionand the said other section has an extension that fits the saidcounterbore. I have shown a counterbore 15 extending into the end of theforward section X which faces the section Y and I have shown a reducedpart or extension 16 on the end of the section Y to fit tightly into thecounterbore 15.

The front end wall 12 of the case is preferably formed integral with theforward section X of the body and the brush opening Ill which is shapedand proportioned to properly accommodate the particular brush heademployed in the structure is preferably offset from the centrallongitudinal axis of the case as will be seen in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 6 ofthe drawings.

The closure B that I have provided is formed by a single rigid memberpivotally supported in the case A and preferably is pivotally supportedin the forward end section X of the case. The closure in its preferredform involves an elongate arm 29 that extends lengthwise in the casesection X and a head part 2| on the forward end of the arm, the tip ofwhich operates immediately inside the end wall H of the case and ismovable into and out of position where it covers the opening It as shownin Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

The construction that I have provided involves a pivotal mounting ormounting means for the closure that I have just described, and thismounting means may include spaced flanges 25 on the side edges oi thearms 28 and outwardly projecting trunnions 28 on the flanges 25. 'Ihecylindrical wall of the body X is thickened to form two opposing walls39 as shown in Fig. 8

and the trunnions are rotatably supported in bearing openings or socketsZlprovided in pposite walls 30. In accordance with my invention Ipreferably form the sockets at the desired points by notchin the bottom28 of the counterbore provided in the case section X and by re latingthe parts so that the inner or projecting end 29 of the extensionextends past the notches to close them and thus establishes the socketswhich rotatably support the trunnions es. With the construction justdescribed it is a simple matter to merely drop the closure into the casesection X from the counterbored end so the trunnions enter the socketsin the bottom of the counterbore and then apply the extension to thecounterbore to retain the trunnions in the notches or sockets at thesame time that the case sections X and Y are joined or assembled.

In accordance with the preferred arrangement of parts the arm of theclosure is supported in the manner just described so that it is normallyclose to or adjacent one side of the cylindrical wall of the bodysection X or, in other words, is eccentric in the section X. The wallsat are diametrically opposite each other and present spaced parallelinner faces 31 between which the flanges operate and these parts may beextended a substantial distance lengthwise of the section X, in fact,they may extend from the bottom of the counterbore to the forward end ofthe section X. By forming the flanges 25 so they extend a substantialdistance lengthwise of the closure and so that they slidably fit betweenthe faces 3! the closure is effectively guided in the section X forpivotal movement about the trunnions 26.

The brush unit C is carried within the case A and involves, generally,an elongate stem 35 and a brush head at the forward end of the stemwhich brush head involves a bundle 35 Qi 1111517185 vholder 3'! whichmay be a light metal sleeve.

axis of the structure, as shown in or the like held in the desired shapeand coupled to the forward end of the stem by a suitable In accordancewith my invention the head of the brush is supported by the stem to beeccentric to the longitudinal axis of the case so that it is inalignment with the brush opening it pro vided in the forward end of thecase. A feature of my present invention is that the stem 35 of the brushunit is directly slidably mounted in the case A. I preferably providethe stem with a plurality of spaced projecting parts til, at and 42,which project from the stem and slidably engage the inner wall of thecase A.

Where the head of the brush is offset as I have described it isconvenient to offset the stem in like manner, in which case theprojections just mentioned are formed on the stern so that they supportthe stem ofiset in the case, as clearly shown in the drawings.

The means E provided for operating the stem of the brush may be anysuitable means whereby the stem of the brush can be reciprocated in. thecase A. In its preferred form this me is in volves an elongate handle52} at the ext the case and a lateral connector 55 which connects thestem 35 and the handle 5!] which sli r1 ably operates in alongitudinally disposed gui slot 52 provided in the body ii of the caseA. The connector 5! may be formed integral with the stem 35 and inpractice it is preferably formed opposite one of the supportingprojections such as the projection M of the stem. The handle 50 may beintegrally applied or connected to the connector 5| so that in thefinished prod not the stem and handle are rigidly or integrally joinedto form a unit. The handle so is prefer ably an elongate part shaped andproportioned so that it always covers the guide slot 52.

The operating means D for the closure B pref erably involves directcooperative relationship between the brush unit and closure. In thepreferred form of the invention the means D in volves an operatingprojection or lug ti! on the brush unit, preferably the stem of thebrush unit, and angularly related faces ti and G2 on the closure. In theparticular case illustrated in the drawings the lug as is at the forwardend of the stem 35' and is opposite the supporting projection 42 of thestem which projection may supported by a reinforced or thickened portion22 of the cylindrical wall X of the body, the inner surface of theportion 22 presenting a substan-- tially smooth and suitably shapedsurface upon which the projection a2 may slide. Ihe angularly relatedfaces 5! and G2 are formed at the inner side of the arm 2% of theclosure so that they face or are opposed to the stern of the brush unit.The face 5! extends forward from the point of pivotal connection of theclosure and when the closure open or inactive, as shown in Fig. 3 theface 6i extends parallel with the longitudinal axis of the device.However, when the closure is closed or in the active position, as shownin Fig. 2, the face 8i extends forward and inward or is at an angle tothe longitudinal axis of the structure. The face 52 extends rearwardfrom the point of pivotal mounting of the closure and when the closureis open or in the inactive position, as shown in Fig. 3, it extendsrearr rd and inward or at'an angle to the longitudinal 3, but

' when the closure is closed or in the active position, as shown in Fig.2, it extends parallel with the longitudinal axis of the structure. Thelug EH! is positioned on the stem 35 of the brush unit so that when thestructure is in the closed or inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 2,the lug cooperates with the surface 6? so that it holds the closureclosed or in the position shown in Fig. 2, and when the parts are inthis position the bundle of bristles 35 of the brush unit is spaced asubstantial distance inward of the front end E2 of the case. When themeans E is, operated to move the parts from the position shown in Fig. 2to that shown in Fig. 3, the lug moves from the surface 82 to thesurface iii as the bundle of bristles advances toward the opening Hi andby the time the bristles have advanced to the point where they are aboutto pass out through the opening It) the lug fiflhas engaged the surfaceiii. causing the closure to be swung or pivoted from the position shownin Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3. With the opening It uncovered thebundle of bristles is free to pass out through the opening H) and as theparts are moved tojadvancethe bundle of bristles to the desiredprojecting position at the forward end of the case'the lug iii! remainsin engagement with the surface 6i holding the closure open. I mayprovide the holder 32 that carries the bundle of bristles with aslightly tapered neck I!) which enters or Wedges into the structure atthe forward end of the case, as shown in Fig. 3, to press or stabilizethe head of the brush while it is in use. It will be readily apparenthow the structure works in a reverse manner if the brush unit isretracted so that after the brush unit has been withdrawn into the caseA the lug 68 engages surface $2 causing the closure to be swung to theclosed position shown in Fig. 2.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art, and fallwithin the scope of the following claims Having described my invention,I claim:

1. A device of the character described including a case having a brushopening at its forward end and having a tubular body with a sectioncounterbored from one end and a section with an extension entering thecounterbore, a closure for the opening located entirely within the caseand pivotally mounted in the case including concentric trunnions onopposite sides of the closure rotatably supported in sockets in thecase, the

sockets being formed in the case by notches at the bottom of saidcounterbore, a brush unit mounted to reciprocate in the case andoperable to project out of the case through the opening, and meansoperable by the brush unit pivoting the closure to move it open as thebrush unit is moved toward the opening.

2. A device of the character described including a case having a brushopening at its forward end and having a tubular body with a forwardsection counterbored from one end and a rear section with an extensionentering the counterbore, a closure for the opening confined within theforward section of the body and pivotally mounted in the case includingconcentric trunnions on the closure rotatably supported in sockets inthe case, the sockets being formed by notches at the bottom of saidcounterbore, a brush unit mounted to reciprocate in the case andoperable to project out of the case through the opening, and meansoperable b the brush iii 6 unit pivoting the closure to move it open asthe brush unit is moved toward the opening.

3. A device of the character described including a case having a brushopening at its forward end and having a tubular body with" a forwardsection counterbored from one end and a rear section with an extensionentering the counterbore, a single closure member for the openingconfined in said forward section, means pivotally mounting the saidmember in the case including coaxial trunnions on opposite sides of theclosure rotatably supported in sockets in the case, the sockets beingformed by notches at the bottom of said counterbore, the end of saidextension acting to hold the trunnions in the notches, a, brush unitmounted to reciprocate in the case and operable to project out of thecase through the opening, and means operable by the brush unit pivotingthe closure to move it open as the brush unit is moved toward theopening.

4. A device of the character described including a case having a brushopening at its forward end, a single unitary member forming a closurefor the opening, means pivotally mounting the closure wholly within thecase, including spaced flanges on the closure and trunnions projectingfrom the outer sides of the flanges into sockets in the case, a brushunit mounted in the case between the flanges to reciprocate in the caseand operable to project out of the case through the opening, and meansoperable by the brush unit pivoting the closure to move it open as thebrush unit is moved toward the opening. 5. A device of the characterdescribed including, an elongate case havinga brush opening at itsforward end, a closure for the opening located entirely within the caseand pivotally mounted in the case on an axis transverse of the case andsubstantially diametric thereof at a fixed location lengthwise of thecase, a brush unit mounted to reciprocate in the case and operable toproject out of the case through the opening, and a member on the brushunit cooperatively engaging the closure and swinging it open'as thebrush unit is moved toward the opening.

6. A device of the character described including, an elongate tubularcase having a brush opening at its forward end, a single unitary memberforming a closure for the opening located entirely within the case andpivotally mounted in the case on a permanently located axis extendingtransversely of the case, the closure having an elongate cam face, abrush unit mounted to reciprocate in the case and operable to projectout of the case through the opening, a member on the brush unit havingcooperative sliding engagement with the said cam face to swing theclosure open as the brush unit is moved toward the opening, and meansfor operating the brush unit from the exterior of the case.

'7. A device of the character described including, an elongate tubularcase having a brush opening at its forward end and having opposedsockets in its interior, a closure for the opening located entirelywithin the case, means pivotally mounting the closure in the caseincluding concentric trunnions at opposite sides of the closurerotatably supported in the sockets in the case, a brush unit mounted toreciprocate in the case and operable to project out of the case throughthe opening, and a member on the brush unit engaging the closure andcooperating therewith to swing the closure open as the brush unit ismoved toward the opening, the

so'okets'in the case holding the trunnions on -a predetermined axistransverse of the cases 8. A device of the character describedincluding, an elongate case having a brush opening at its forward end, aclosure for the opening confined within the case and nivotally mountedin the case onan axis transverse of the case and in a fixed positionlengthwise of the case, a brush unit mounted to reciprocate in the caseand operable to project out of the case through the opening. and amember on the brush unit cooperatively engaging the closure to swing itopen as the brush unit is moved toward the opening, the brush unitincluding an elongate stem freely slidable in the case and spaced pro-Elections on the stem slidably engaging the inner wall of the casing.

9. A device of the character described includ ing an elongate tubularcase having a brush opening at its forward end, a closure for theopening located entirely within the case and pivotally mounted in thecase, on an axis tranc verse of. the case and in a fixed position.lengthwise or the case, the closure including an arm pivoted in thecasing to be eccentric thereof and having angularly related camsurfaces, a brush unit mounted in the case beside said arm toreciprocate in the case and operable to project out of the case throughthe opening and including, a stem eccentric of the casing and ajacentthe arm, and a lug on the stem of the brush unit slidahly engaging theangularly related surfaces on the closure arm to swing the closure openas the brush is moved toward the opening.

10. A device of the character described including an elongate tubularcase having a brush openingat its forward end, and opposed inter nalsockets. a closure iforthe opening located entirely within the case,means pivotally mounting the closure directly in the case for pivotalmovement therein on an axis transverse of the case and in a fixedposition lengthwise of the case, including spaced flanges on the closureslidably engaging the inside of the case to be guided thereby andtrunnions projecting from the outer sides of the flanges into thesockets in the case, a brush unit mounted in the case between theflanges to reciprocate in the case and operable to Project out of thecase through the opening, and a member operable by the brush unitcooperatively engaging and pivoting the closure to move it open as thebrush unit is moved toward the opening,

CHARLES A. MUREAU.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 10,846 Lownds Dec. 8, 18631,855,639 Most July 5, 1932 2,026,868 Cornell Jan. '7, 1936 2,055,411Lehmann 1- Sept. 22, 1936 2,111,767 Gimonet Mar. 22, 1938 2,118,399Fullmer May 24, 1938 2,128,515 Fouinat Aug. 30, 1933 2,205,601 Satz eta1. June 25, 1940 2,386,417 Apfelbaum Oct. 9, 19% 2,392,840 De GroftJan. 15, 1946 2,404,815 Satz et al. July 30, 1946

